One of Broadway’s ultimate leading ladies Kelli O’Hara returns to the stage on January 17 in the musical adaptation of the heartbreaking romance The Bridges of Madison County. O’Hara plays Francesca, an Italian immigrant and a Midwestern housewife who begins a passionate affair with a visiting photographer (Steven Pasquale). The lush, romantic musical features an honest, grown-up love story by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman and a soaring original score by Tony winner Jason Robert Brown. BroadwayBox caught up with O’Hara right before previews began at the Schoenfeld Theatre to ask the four-time Tony-nominated actress our five most burning questions.
1. What’s your favorite word to say in your new Italian accent?Sangiovese [a brand of Italian red wine]. I don’t say that in the show, but I say it sometimes to get into character. 2. Bridges reunites you with your South Pacific and The Light in the Piazza director Bart Sher; who else from your past do you most want to work with again?
So many! I would love to work again with Brian d’Arcy James [Sweet Smell of Success]. 3. I love your style at events and red carpets. Who is your fashion icon?
Probably Kate Winslet. 4. Now that you’re a mother of two, what do you think is the one thing every mother should have?
Patience! [Laughs.] 5. What’s the one thing you hope audiences take away from The Bridges of Madison County?
That they don’t feel alone—that they identify with this, and that everybody has these moments in their life. Mostly, that they feel understood.
